The Good Shepherd

In Sacred Scripture, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd.  What is Jesus’ experience of shepherds?  Wasn’t Jesus a carpenter and the son of a carpenter?  Have you wondered why he calls himself a shepherd?  I have and I can only imagine that he had admiration for the simplicity of life of this humble yet essential profession.  Also, Jesus would have been familiar with the prophet of old who promised a messianic shepherd to the people in the new Israel. (See Ezekiel 34)

Image: Unsplash/Patrick Schneider

We know from Luke’s Gospel that the shepherds were the first to witness the message of the angels and that they would find “in a manger an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.”  These shepherds were also the first to be abused for spreading the good news in and around Bethlehem.(Luke 2)  They suffered because the good news they spread resulted in the deaths of their own babies in Bethlehem, at the command of Herod. (Matt.2) 

““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep””
— JOHN 10:11

I can imagine Jesus listening to his mother Mary telling him about the place of his birth and of the shepherds who brought them assistance in their time of great need in Bethlehem.  Maria Valtorta, a modern day mystic, records in her visions that Jesus returned to the place of his birth as a young man where he met some of the shepherds who were still living and who remembered his mother and the unforgettable message of the angels. Maria Valtorta also wrote of seeing these same faithful shepherds mingling helplessly among the crowds in Jerusalem on the day of the crucifixion. They knew Jesus was the Messiah but were as confused as the apostles at what was taking place in Jerusalem.

Image: Unsplash/mahyar motebassem

Jesus loved the faithful shepherds who thought only of their flocks and of keeping them well fed and safe from harm.  Sheep being defenseless and in need of a shepherd is a beautiful image we have inherited of the relationship between God and God’s people. We, like sheep, are free to stay with the shepherd and graze on good food or are free to wander off, losing ourselves in the brambles of selfish endeavours.  It’s all about choosing to have a relationship with a Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd says,

“. . .love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12, 15:17)

 -Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Header Image: Unsplash/Greg Rosenke

World Book Day 2023

WORLD BOOK DAY

I have only two memories of my Grade One year and both have to do with reading.  I was in the Bunnies reading group and I figured out that the Robins were better readers.  I began to bring my reader home every day and pestered Mom as she was trying to make supper “what’s this word?”  So in a very short time I made it to the Robins!  A Substitute teacher read a story to us and her way with the printed word was such that I could really imagine “the tigers running around a tree and turning to butter!”  I never looked at the pole in our basement classroom without that image coming into my mind. 

In a day where there not many “story books” either at home or school, a gift of a book to me was a treasure.  In Grade Six, our class received “a whole bunch of books” and our teacher captured our interest every day when she read a chapter of a selected book.  As a result, all the class (boys included) became avid readers. Later as a teacher myself, I made it a practice to read to my class at least once a day.

Living in Zambia, the reality meant that books were more difficult to find. Canadian visitors came with novels which in turn enabled us to become “a lending library” for several teachers at our school.  They became familiar with various authors and would request copies of their books to be brought back when we returned from home leave. Some even remarked that their English skills and vocabulary were improving.     

I discovered in the late ‘80’s that my friend, who was working with me in the Development and Peace Committee was an Award-winning Children’s Author.  After reading one of her books** to my Junior High class in Fort Good Hope, individual letters were written to her which included appreciation for her book; life in Fort Good Hope; or any other questions or comments they wanted to make.  Imagine our surprise and joy when each student received an individual letter from her!

Good authors like Monica Hughes touch the lives, hearts and imaginations of young and old around the world through their writings.

**The book read to the Students was Hunter in the Dark written by Monica Hughes, who won the 1983 Canada Council Literature prize. 

-Sister Amelia Belohorec,csj